Acidic seas fuel extinction fears

[RedEarth]

Source: BBC News

Carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are acidifying the oceans and threaten a mass extinction of sea life, a top ocean scientist warns. Dr Carol Turley from Plymouth Marine Laboratory says it is impossible to know how marine life will cope, but she fears many species will not survive.

Since the Industrial Revolution, CO2 emissions have already turned the sea about 30% more acidic, say researchers. It is more acidic now than it has been for at least 500,000 years, they add. The problem is set to worsen as emissions of the greenhouse gas increase through the 21st Century.

"I am very worried for ocean ecosystems which are currently productive and diverse," Carol Turely told BBC News. "I believe we may be heading for a mass extinction, as the rate of change in the oceans hasn't been seen since the dinosaurs.

"It may have a major impact on food security. It really is imperative that we cut emissions of CO2."



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7936137.stm

[lapfog_1]

1. Not only cut Co2 emissions to ZERO, but we need to reverse what

has already happened.

I just don't see us having the political willpower to do it.

[The Stranger]

2. OVERPOPULATION.

Too many people on the planet.

[Baby Snooks]

3. The Earth will protect itself...

The Earth simply will get rid of us.

[The Stranger]

4. Sure hope she doesn't wait too long.

Never underestimate the destructive ingenuity of our hubristic little species.

[cobalt1999]

5. Way too many people

Alas, like any species that breeds out of control, we are destined to destroy our environment and starve off.

[Deja Q]

7. WHo'll volunteer to die?

:hide:

[skoalyman]

10. don't hold your breath' wait thats it we can hold our breath

less co2:shrug:

[The Stranger]

17. Please tell me you're being sarcastic. Addressing Overpopulation involves reproduction.

That is, unless you volunteer to help with the overpopulation problem in your own stated way.

Every little bit is appreciated.

[Deja Q]

6. So dump a ton of baking soda into the oceans. Acid + Base = Neutral.

:evilfrown:

[Reterr]

8. k&r.eom

[lovuian]

9. I have warned about this

the seas are dying
the whole planet is dying from this CO2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JOm97US5Uw
its happening folks

[earth mom]

11. This is one of the reasons I wanted Gore in '08.

:cry:

[glitch]

13. McGovern in '72, Carter in '76, '80, Mondale in '84, Dukakis in '88, Gore in '92 for me

But then I am probably older than you ;)

A long history of paths not taken. :cry: and :hug:

[earth mom]

16. I was a kid/teen in the 70s but I knew even then that our environment and earth was precious...

I can't believe we've let almost 40 years go by and have done so little to save our planet. :cry:

:hug:

[glitch]

18. Actually I couldn't vote for McGovern yet, but I did campaign for him.

So it still counts, to me! :hi:

[No Elephants]

14. Jacques Cousteau, is that you? Carl Sagan, maybe?

[MattBaggins]

12. So turn your computer off and quit using CO2 to post

[No Elephants]

15. But at least ignoring the planet yielded a great economy. Er. Paging the Bush Legacy Project